On innovation and entomology: a path to renewed relevance and the future

Abstract

In 2019, I was honored to be president of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). In choosing my theme for 2019 a year or so before that, I wrestled with whether to stick with what had been on my email signature line for a few years, Advocate Entomology! or change it to what I was obsessing over at the time: Innovation. I stuck with Advocate Entomology! but it quickly became apparent that advocacy and innovation were inextricably intertwined. During 2019, we devoted several initiatives to innovation, and the basis for focusing on innovation was the empowerment of all entomologists. Even more so now than 5 years ago because of advances in generative artificial intelligence, every entomologist has the ability not only to think about solutions to problems but also to create tangible products that come from their thoughts. Arguably more important, these products can be shared with billions of people in microseconds. Those people can then give feedback and share their own ideas, and the cycle can continue.